Components of Tourism Products

Components of Tourism Products

• Attractions: Vary from natural landscapes to man-made structures; must be regularly updated to meet tourist expectations.
• Accommodation: Refers to any settlement offering tourists a place to stay, which can vary in type and luxury.
• Accessibility: Involves transportation where roads, railways, airports, and other transport facilities facilitate travel to destinations.
• Amenities: Essential facilities that enhance tourist comfort and convenience including restaurants, shops, and ATM services.
• Activities: Leisure options and amusements available to tourists, contributing to the overall experience.

Unique Characteristics of Tourism Products

• Intangible: Tourism products cannot be experienced before purchase, making evaluation difficult.
• Inseparable: Both consumer and product must be present for the service to be delivered; direct interaction is necessary.
• Variable: Experiences can vary widely for different tourists and at different times, influenced by service quality and personal circumstances.
• Perishable: Services cannot be stored for later use; once an experience is offered, it cannot be resold if not utilized.
• Seasonal: Demand fluctuates based on time of year and tourist behavior.

Tourist Types According to Motivation Models

• Plog’s Model: Classifies tourists based on their preferences.
  • Allocentrics: Seek new experiences and destinations.
  • Psychocentrics: Prefer familiar, structured vacations.
  • Midcentrics: Exhibit traits of both allocentrics and psychocentrics, varying by situation.
• Cohen’s Model: Distinguishes tourist behavior.
  • Organized Mass Tourists: Opt for all-inclusive packages.
  • Individual Mass Tourists: Prefer independence while visiting popular locations.
  • Explorers: Desire new experiences but may choose familiar accommodations.
  • Drifters: Avoid traditional tourist paths, seeking uniqueness.

Competitor Types in Tourism and Hospitality

• Direct Competitors: Businesses offering the same type of product in the same sector compete directly (e.g., Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi).
• Indirect Competitors: Different products aiming at the same consumer needs (e.g., Hotels vs. Airbnb).
• Replacement/Potential Competitors: Offer different products with alternative goals using shared consumer resources (e.g., Ride-sharing services like Grab vs. taxis).

Segmentation Characteristics for Successful Marketing

• Identifiable: Segments must be readily defined for targeted marketing efforts.
• Cohesive: Group members should share distinct common characteristics.
• Social Class: Position within society influences brand preferences and purchasing behavior.
• Lifestyle: Reflects a person’s habits, interests, and opinions, affecting travel choices.
• Life Cycle: Stages in personal development can influence decision-making and preferences.
• Reference Groups: Influential groups impacting potential consumer behavior and attitudes.

Buyer Decision-Making Process

• Need/Problem Recognition: Identifying a need that can be fulfilled by a tourism product.
• Information Search: Actively seeking information about options available to meet identified needs.
• Evaluation of Alternatives: Comparing different products or services to select the best option.
• Purchase Decision: Choosing a tourism product based on evaluated alternatives.
• Post-Purchase Evaluation: Assessing satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the purchased travel experience.